PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT info@recroomhtx.com | 713-344-1291

REC ROOM ARTS PRESENTS THE HOUSTON PREMIERE OF PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER

Ike Holter Playwright

Sally Burtenshaw Josephine

Sophia Marcelle Caroline

Gerardo Velasquez Rolan

HOUSTON, TX (September 27, 2022) — Rec Room Arts (Artistic Director Matt Hune, Associate Artistic Director Sophia Watt, Executive Director Stefan Azizi) will begin preview performances on Thursday, October 20 for PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER, written by acclaimed Chicago playwright and frequent Rec Room collaborator, Ike Holter (Exit Strategy, Sender), directed by Matt Hune. The production is the last in Rec Room’s 2022 season. Preview performances begin October 20, with an official press opening on Saturday, October 22. Performances will run through November 12.

“Ike Holter has managed to create a funny, heart-breaking, romantic horror that is one of the most suspenseful plays I have come across–just in time for Halloween. Ike is a dear friend and I am excited to continue bringing his work to Houston” said Rec Room Artistic Director Matt Hune.

PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER is a romantic comedy/horror thriller about a young Chicago couple whose first date spirals into a race against an invading force. Caroline and Rolan’s night begins as a pretty average date. However, when the city around them exhibits signs that something is terribly wrong, they must quickly learn to trust each other to stand the chance against the horrors outside.

The complete cast of PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER includes Sally Burtenshaw (Josephine), Sophia Marcelle (Caroline), and Gerardo Velasquez (Rolan).

PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER will feature scenic design by Stefan Azizi, costume design by Layla Crear, lighting design by Nicholas Lam, and sound design by Robert Meek. Emma Bacon is the production stage manager.

PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER COVID Protocol All Rec Room artists and staff have been fully vaccinated and take part in weekly COVID testing. It is recommended that all patrons receive a complete COVID-19 vaccination regimen at least 14 days prior to entering the theater. Boosters are also encouraged for those eligible under CDC guidelines. We recommend that patrons wear a mask inside the theater, however, masks are not required in our building. All policies are subject to change and are dependent on CDC guidance. For complete health and safety protocols, visit https://www.recroomarts.org/safe-return.

BIOS IKE HOLTER (Playwright) is a Chicago writer and the author of plays including Exit Strategy, Hit the Wall, and Put Your House in Order. He wrote The Rightlynd Saga, a series of seven interconnected plays set in a fictional Chicago neighborhood that the Chicago Tribune called “One of the most significant literary achievements in modern-day Chicago.” For Television, he’s received the WGA award for “Best Adaptation” for his work on the Emmy-award winning FX series “Fosse/Verdon”, and his miniseries “Harold” was recently picked up by Wayfarer studios. He is currently developing film and TV projects with Netflix and TriBeCa Productions, and has taught at University of Chicago, DePaul, and is a lecturer at Yale University. Winner of the 2017 WindhamCampbell prize for drama, one of the highest literary awards in the world, and the 2021 Steinberg Playwright award. Repped by WME and M88.

MATT HUNE (Director, Artistic Director) is co-founder and Artistic Director of Rec Room Arts where he is dedicated to energizing a new generation of theatre artists and audiences. In Rec Room’s short history, Hune and staff have produced plays, opera, dance, and concerts. Before co-founding Rec Room, Hune developed the Living Room Series, where he converted a Montrose living room into a 22-seat black box theater. In addition to Rec Room Arts, he has been involved in the development of The Loring Theatre in Minneapolis. As a director, he has worked on world and regional premieres as well as re-imagined classics. He was a faculty member in the acting program at Kinder HSPVA for seven years. He has also taught acting at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. Hune is a recipient of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts award for Theatre and a member of SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society). Most recently, Hune has applied his passion for cultivating creative communities through the study of clinical psychology where he provides support to individuals and researches the parallels of art and wellness. Education: DePaul University, Chicago and Boston University.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION Single tickets are now on sale and range from $5 - $50. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at https://www.recroomarts.org/putyourhouseinorder.

PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER begins performances on Thursday October 20 and will run through Saturday November 12, with an official press opening on Saturday, October 22.

The performance schedule is Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

All performances are downtown at Rec Rom, 100 Jackson Street 130C, Houston, TX 77002 ABOUT REC ROOM ARTS Rec Room Arts is a non-profit theater organization whose mission is to develop innovative performances by emerging and established artists in order to energize a new generation of audiences for the arts. Rec Room Arts is interested in providing unique and enjoyable experiences through theater that enhance the cultural imagination and social wellbeing of Houston. Rec Room believes in the theatrical examination of individual experiences and operates under the principles that theater shapes behaviors, patterns, and the collective unconscious. Furthermore, Rec Room believes in the importance of making the overall experience of going to the theater pleasurable. Therefore, audiences are invited to arrive early and stay late to socialize in our bar.

Matt Hune is Artistic Director/Co-founder; Stefan Azizi is Managing Director; Sophia Watt is Associate Artistic Director.

PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER FACT SHEET HOUSTON PREMIERE

PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER

Written by Ike Holter Directed by Matt Hune Opening Press Night: Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Closing: November 12, 2022 Wednesdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $5 - $50 Rec Room, 100 Jackson Street, Houston, TX 77002 Website: www.recroomarts.org Phone: 713-344-1291 A romantic-comedy/horror/old-school thriller about a first date that spirals into a race against an invading force. When the city around them begins exhibiting signs that something is terribly wrong, Caroline and Roland quickly have to learn to trust each other to stand a chance against the horrors outside the gate. This Houston premiere from playwright Ike Holter (Exit Strategy, Sender) explores new beginnings at the end of the world.

Full-resolution images and photo credits available at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bWd7cDD24UPae5EjnGAeE6FsEal-kkUA?usp=sharing

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PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER

Written by Ike Holter Directed by Matt Hune October 20, 2022 - November 12, 2022 A romantic-comedy/horror/thriller about a first date that spirals into a race against an invading force. When the city around them begins exhibiting signs that something is terribly wrong, Caroline and Roland quickly have to learn to trust each other to stand a chance against the horrors outside the gate. This Houston premiere from one of Chicago’s hottest playwrights (Exit Strategy, Sender) explores new beginnings at the end of the world.